Local apprentices receive a high-profile visit

July 1, 2013 5:21 PM

Last Friday, a group of local apprentices had a chance to talk about their experiences of combining earning with learning, when they met Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, Carshalton and Wallington MP Tom Brake and Sutton Council leader Ruth Dombey.

Together with Tom Brake and Ruth Dombey, Nick Clegg visited TEC Group International in Stafford Road, Wallington, to meet apprentices and see first-hand how training is helping young people to find work and develop their careers.

Deputy Prime Minster Nick Clegg said: "TEC Group International is a clear example of how investment in young, ambitious people can have a major positive impact on a business' success.

"Apprenticeships provide real, measurable benefits for employers, while creating new opportunities for young men and women, enabling them to get on in life. That is why Liberal Democrats are driving a major push to get more businesses to take on apprentices as this will help us build a stronger economy.

"We have nearly five million businesses in the UK, but little over 100,000 currently offer apprenticeships. We need to be more ambitious and I want to see another 100,000 workplaces offer apprenticeships."

Tom Brake said: "It was a real pleasure to meet staff and apprentices working at Tec Group International. The visit highlighted the real value that apprentices bring to business."

"Business leaders need to recognise that apprentices can contribute to company growth by increasing productivity and bringing creativity into the workplace. To put it simply, we need more businesses in our area like Tec Group International."

"As an MP, I will continue to strive to convince more and more local businesses to increase their productivity and skillset by taking on an apprentice."

Nick Clegg, Tom Brake and Ruth Dombey talked to apprentices about their courses and their employment as apprentices. During the visit, the three visitors had a chance to pick up some tips on telephone etiquette when they joined apprentices for a short workshop on professional telephone skills.

The event was part of a campaign by Liberal Democrats in Government, 'A Million Jobs for a Stronger Economy', which focuses (amongst other things) on doubling the number of companies offering apprenticeships from 100,000 to 200,000.